I’ll have what she’s having—no, not the chopped chicken salad. I want whatever anti-aging cream is making her look forever 29. And that shampoo that keeps her hair silky-smooth despite the frizz-inducing humidity that brutally mangles mine. Give me some of whatever she’s using to keep her teeth so white, her manicures so un-chipped, her lashes so consistently clump-free. Would it be too much to ask to tag along on her next shopping trip for beauty supplies?
Luckily, we live in a world where you don’t have to resort to creepy stalking to find out which products are working magic—and which ones we should avoid—in the beauty department. Sure, everyone’s got secret tricks and techniques to achieving their signature look. But when it comes to sharing successes and failures of the goods that help create it, let’s just say many of us aren’t…shy.
Want to know if that natural dye is really going to mask the newly sprouted crop of grays in your hair? Not sure whether you should splurge on a pricey serum, test out a new toothpaste or switch to a different deodorant? You don’t have to decide blindly. Just read the reviews. It’s almost as good as cruising the mall with your girlfriends (minus the juicy gossip and iced latte refills, of course).
Here’s what some of you are saying about the hottest natural products to hit the beauty shelves:
Jason Age Renewal Vitamin E Moisturizing Cream
“I love this cream. I use it on my face and body. My skin is sensitive, acne prone and dehydrated. It doesn’t cause breakouts or make me oily and my skin looks more youthful than ever. I’ve used products that cost hundreds of dollars and hands down this is the best moisturizer ever!” –bgan143″
“I am so picky about my face and what I use on it. I have tried numerous mositurizing creams and Jason Moisturizing Creme Vitamin E Age Renewal is the best. My ‘old age spots’ are gone, My wrinkles and laugh lines can hardly be seen since I have been using Jason’s cream. Results didn’t come over night, so be patient. Keep using it and you will be very pleased with the results.” –Kuper, Oklahoma City, OK
“I just had to comment that this creme is simply wonderful. I am fair with sensitive skin and this product is a perfect match for my skin care needs. Goes on like velvet, pure ingredients, wonderful mild sent, dramatic results. I use it as a night cream on my face, and also on my body after a bath (one reviewer mentioned doing that and they were right! OMG!). I saw a complete change in my drier than usual this year winter skin in 2 days -literally. I have used a lot of high end products – Kiehls, Dr. Hauschka, Dr. Perricone etc. and I prefer this to creams in those lines. Solid choice. Give it a try and see. Wow.” –Mairianne, Greater New York Area
Herbatint Permanent Herbal Hair Colouring Gel
“I have been coloring my half-gray hair for over ten years with this product and it ROCKS. Vitacost has the best price I’ve found. You have to provide your own bowl and applicator brushes but it’s worth it. I usually mix chestnut and light chestnut together, and leave on the roots for 40 minutes, then pull it down to the ends for 10 minutes. The color is great and best of all… no chemical reaction. If they ever stopped making Herbatint I would buy a wig!” –NCJen
“Was skeptical when I first purchased this product, but the results were fantastic! It doesn’t smell, leaves my hair very soft and the color really lasts. I will never go back to the chemical-laced hair colors at the local drug stores.” –JOJO707, Portsmouth, VA
“I’ve been using Herbatint for three years & it would be a tough sale to get me to switch to any other product. This covers my grey completely, and always leaves my hair shiny & healthy looking.” –Glzdham, Huntington Beach, CA
Aura Cacia 100% Pure Lavender Essential Oil
“I use this with coconut oil on my feet and put it on with ACV before my natural deodorant for an extra odor killing boost. Works well and smells great for both.” –CurlyGirl91, Fairfax, VA
“OMG, I use this in so many ways – on my bed linens, in my bath, on my forehead or just to take a whiff and calm down. It helps me to breathe more deeply as well. Lavender pure essential oil is one of the few that can be used straight and I find that so convenient. It is also wonderrful mixed with a little jojoba oil and massaged in to my skin as a moisturizer. I keep one in each bedroom and by my work area. This is a good product and well worth having in your home.”” –dancinglight, Central Florida
“I love the smell of lavendar so I put a few drops in a squirt bottle and use it for a refreshing spritz on the face and I put a few drops in bath and hot tub, just love the calming smell.” –goodgriefcooter, OKC, OK
Alba Botanica Very Emollient Unscented Body Lotion
“I slowly started switching to paraben free products over a year ago. It has been a difficult quest at times, finding products that are as good as their paraben counterparts. This lotion is a keeper for me. It is better than anything I have ever used. I feel so hydrated after using this, and my skin stays moisturized. I add lavender essential oil to it (and I don’t need a whole lot), because I love the smell! I apply after every bath/shower and at bedtime, and the lavender soothes me to sleep, and my skin drinks this stuff in!” –Shanara
“I have tried so many different types of body lotions- I even tried slathering on pure organic oils, but this lotion is truly the best at keeping my hands and body well moisturized and looking soft all day. I especially love the fact that it doesn’t have any scent. I have already re-ordered twice :)” –snowyblonde, Southern California
“This lotion is amazing. It is so gentle, I use it on my legs after shaving and it doesn’t sting. It absorbs well and leaves my skin moisturized and soft for the whole day without having a greasy feeling. I love that it is truly fragrance free – I mean NO smell at all (not like some other non-fragrance products that still have an odd scent). The value is amazing for the large bottle. love love love it!” –mmmoatmeal, Orlando, FL
Xlear Spry Flouride-Free Toothpaste
“Makes my teeth sparkle and breath fresh.” –Sydney0800, Colorado
“Toothpaste: I’ve tried them all & I’ve liked some. But the Xlear Spry Peppermint toothpaste is the BEST I’ve found anywhere!!! My teeth shine and sparkle like they never did with any other toothpaste. And it only gets better with time. The best thing is that my sensitivity has been lessened more with this than with any other OTC ‘sensitivity toothpaste’. The price is reasonable & the results are outstanding! The flavour is refreshing and easy on the palate, my mouth feels healthy & my teeth look better than ever before. I recommend this whole-heartedly!” –PMLPrincess, Bend, OR
“This toothpaste is an excellent product, in my opinion. I had used tooth whiteners once for a 7 day period and did not get as good of results as with the Xlear toothpaste. The flavor is great. It has a strong cooling mint taste. No fluoride. Xylitol, stevia, aloe, and parsley give great antibacterial protection.”” –nonilass